PSC CB&Q BE-1
Express Ex-Troop Kitchen Car
While many of us here own PSC's troop cars, there isn't a photographic review that showcases all the beautiful details in these cars. I recently acquired one and I thought it was worth sharing the great job they did, I feel you could argue for road number specific details in this museum quality production. This review takes a new importance with the upcoming Atlas troop cars, that while nice, they just simply can't compete with these brass wonders.
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Precision Scale troop cars are a prime example of the value found in high-end brass models. To this date no importer or manufacturer has produced these cars at a museum-quality level, and the likeliness of a better production, or even a second run, is negligible.
Imported in 2004, these cars feature an all-brass construction, factory paint and road number specific details. This CB&Q BE-1 express car features jail bars, road number specific grab irons, former roof vents covers and correct gold Burlington lettering applied with razor sharp pad printing. All fasteners and rivets are scale and well defined, the underbody detailing is exceptional and not fragile, and the correct allied full cushion trucks are sprung and fully constructed. Really every aspect of the prototype has been considered, literally all I had to do was install Kadee couplers and it was good to go.
This car is a significant addition to my 1948 Exposition Flyer. While the upcoming Weaver-acquired Atlas troop cars would have made for an interesting upgrade project, there is no way I could bring them to this standard without investing dozens of hours and additional expenses for detailing, painting and lettering. If you want the finest scale model of this car, the investment in PSC’s is well worth it. A rare and beautiful replica I am happy to add to my collection.
